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Freesia plants add spikes of colorful, fragrant flowers to the outdoor space. Freesias are native to South Africa and bloom in shades of white, pink, red, blue, lavender, yellow and cream. The plants grow from bulb-like corms that store the plant's food in a basal plate, the bottom area from which the plant's roots grow. Corms have smaller scales and a flatter shape than true bulbs. Freesia plants grow to heights of 12 to 18 inches and are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 4 through 11.

Timing

These fragrant plants are easiest to grow outside in USDA zones 9 through 10, where they do not need to be lifted from the ground since the region has dry, warm summers and cool, moist winters. Freesia's corms need a certain amount of time to chill. So when you plant freesia is equally important as your technique and choice of planting location. According to North Carolina State University, gardeners in USDA zone 8 should plant corms in the spring. Gardeners in zones 9 through 10 should plant freesia in the fall.

Pre-Planting Planning

The University of California Cooperative Extension recommends buying corms in the early autumn since this is when the healthiest bulbs are available. Choose corms that are firm, avoiding mushy corms that may be unhealthy. Store bulbs in a cool spot, placing them in a paper bag until the right planting time comes along. Soak the freesia's corms in water for 30 minutes before planting.

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Planting Instructions

Choose an area with well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Till the planting area to a depth of about 12 inches to loosen and aerate the soil before planting corms. Freesia prefers growing in areas that receive full sunlight or afternoon sun exposure. Dig a hole that is about three times as deep as the width of the freesia corm, adding bone meal or bulb fertilizer to the bottom of the hole. Plant the corm with the its tip pointed up. Space corms at least 1 inch apart. Maximize the visual impact of your freesia plantings by planting corms in masses of 36 to 500 to create large, lush planting areas.

Watering

Water the planting area well after planting. Maintain adequate moisture in the planting area by adding 1 inch of water weekly during the growing season. Reduce the watering schedule once the freesia's leaves begin yellowing and stop watering plants entirely if the freesia plant becomes dormant. Watching the plant for signs of dormancy is key since they are prone to blooming throughout the year in USDA zones 9 through 11.

Fertilizing and Other Care

Add a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer to the planting area every two weeks throughout the growing season, starting when the corms begin sprouting young freesia plants until the plants show signs of becoming dormant. Pinch dry, dying flower heads and allow the freesia's foliage to continue growing until the plant becomes dormant. If you don't live in an area where freesia blooms throughout the year, dig up the freesia's corm and store it in a paper bag placed in a dark, cool spot until you plant it for the next season.

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About the Author

Caryn Anderson combines extensive behind-the-scenes writing experience with her passion for all things food, fashion, garden and travel. Bitten by the travel bug at the age of 15 after a trip to Europe, Anderson fostered her love of style and fashion while living in New York City and earning her degree at New York University.